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DALLAS (October 26, 2020) – Lock and load, shooters! The 10th annual Northwestern Mutual Clay Shoot returns to the Dallas Gun Club benefiting TeamConnor Childhood Cancer Foundation on November 2, 2020.  Last year, the sold-out event raised more than $90,000 for childhood cancer research and programs implemented by TeamConnor.

“Watching my son Connor fight childhood cancer over a four-year period was grueling,” said Joy Cruse, Founder of TeamConnor Childhood Cancer Foundation. “Connor was first diagnosed with neuroblastoma when he was only four years old. He beat it into remission only to develop a tumor from the radiation used to treat the neuroblastoma. Connor lost his battle when he was eight, but his legacy lives on. It’s imperative that we find better treatments, and ultimately cures, to help children who will be diagnosed.”

Registration for the 10th annual Northwestern Mutual Clay Shoot will close Thursday, October 29th. Following the event, there will be a raffle with great prizes enticing to hunting enthusiasts.

In addition to Northwestern Mutual Dallas, sponsors for the event include Frost Bank, BenefitsTexas, KA Wolfe, Sewell, Armstrong Accountancy, Mullis Newby Hurst, Venture X, Dr. Matthew Roberts, and Pitts Birdsong Bonds & Insurance.

Since 2008, TeamConnor has donated nearly $4 million to hospitals and research facilities to find new treatment options and ultimately cures. Childhood cancer is the number one disease killer of children, yet the federal government allocates less than four percent of its funds to pediatric cancer research. 

For more information on TeamConnor events and sponsorship opportunities, contact Sydney Little, special events and outreach coordinator, at slittle@teamconnor.org or (214) 233-6741.

For more information on how to join the fight against childhood cancer, please visit teamconnor.org or follow TeamConnor Childhood Cancer Foundation on Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn or Facebook.

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Frisco resident Tait Cruse founded TeamConnor with his wife Joy in 2008 when their son Connor was going through cancer treatment and needed a bone marrow transplant. In his own battle today with leukemia and lymphoma, Tait Cruse needs a bone marrow transplant.

TeamConnor is partnering with DKMS to host a bone marrow donor drive in an effort to match donors with patients in need of the life-saving treatment. The bone marrow donor drive will run virtually online October 19th - October 25th. Individuals between the ages of 18-55 years old may also swing by onsite at the III Forks Golf Classic at Gleneagles Country Club, Monday, October 19th from 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Donors will be able to pick up a packet, return to their cars to safely and privately fill out the form and swab their cheek in a COVID-19 safe manner.

The bone marrow drive will run virtually October 19th - October 25th. Anyone in good health between the ages of 18 - 55 can sign up as a potential donor. A kit can be sent to the donor’s address within three weeks with a postage paid envelope. A cheek cell sample is collected by the donor at home, and once the sample is tested, the donor will be placed in a national donor pool. Doctors search the database to find a matching donor for their patients. More information can be found at the DKMS website. 

“My family’s journey with cancer began in 2005 when our four-year-old son, Connor, was diagnosed with neuroblastoma.” said Tait Cruse. “Connor lost his battle with cancer in July 2009 when he was just eight years old. But his legacy continues through the TeamConnor Childhood Cancer Foundation. Together, we have funded more than $3 million dollars in research grants to give pediatric cancer patients a fighting chance. Ironically, in July 2020, I was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) and Lymphoma. Like 70% of patients with blood cancer, I do not have a perfect matching donor in my family, and there is not currently a matching donor in the national database. In fact, there are 15,000 patients, like me, currently searching for an unrelated donor.”

DKMS is the world’s largest bone marrow and blood stem cell donor center, worldwide. Quick facts about the need for more donors: 

  • Every 27 seconds, someone in the U.S. is diagnosed with a blood cancer. 

  • More than 50,000 people die from blood cancer in the U.S. every year.

  • Only 30% of patients find a matching donor within their family. 

  • A bone marrow or stem cell transplant can be a lifesaving treatment for blood cancer and approximately 70 other diseases. 

Childhood cancer is the number one disease killer of children, yet the federal government allocates less than four percent of its funds to pediatric cancer research. TeamConnor will host the 10th Annual Northwestern Mutual Clay Shoot on November 2, 2020. For more information on TeamConnor events, contact Sydney Little, special events and outreach coordinator, at slittle@teamconnor.org or (972) 663-7302.  

For more information on how to join the fight against childhood cancer, visit teamconnor.org or follow TeamConnor on  Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn or Facebook.

DKMS is an international non-profit organization dedicated to the fight against blood cancer. Founded in 1991 in Germany by Dr. Peter Harf, DKMS has expanded internationally by establishing entities in the US, Poland, the UK, Chile, together with BMST in India and in South Africa together with The Sunflower Fund partnered by DKMS. Together, they have registered more than 10.7 million potential blood stem cell donors and have given more than 87,000 patients across the globe a second chance at life by facilitating blood stem cell transplants.

 

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Pictured left to right: Emily Allbright, Executive Director for TeamConnor Childhood Cancer Foundation; Sydney Little, Special Events and Outreach Coordinator for TeamConnor Childhood Cancer Foundation; Chris Brunner, General Manager at Park Place Lexus Plano and Mark Morrison, III Forks Event Co-Chair.

The III Forks Golf Classic presented by Northwestern Mutual Dallas and benefiting TeamConnor Childhood Cancer Foundation is slated for October 19, 2020. Two hundred golfers will gather in Plano at the prestigious Gleneagles Country Club for the 16th Annual event to compete on the 18-hole championship Kings and Queens courses. 

“This year’s event looks a little different due to COVID, but the need to raise crucial funds for childhood cancer research is as important as ever,” said Joy Cruse, founder of TeamConnor Childhood Cancer Foundation. “We’re very thankful for Park Place Lexus Plano’s continuing role as our Automotive Sponsor. They are donating the Lexus Champions for Charity Golf Package, which will be auctioned off live at the event. This is one of our most sought-after auction packages. The highest bidder will have the opportunity to play in the 2020 Lexus Champions for Charity National Championship, along with a friend, at the Pebble Beach Resorts in Pebble Beach, California December 9 - 13, 2020.”

Lexus Champions for Charity (LCFC) supports charities from all across the country through the game of golf. To date, the Lexus Champions for Charity program has helped raise more than $450 million at over 5,200 events nationwide.  

“The III Forks Golf Classic is a great event with which we’ve been affiliated for many years,” said Chris Brunner, Park Place Lexus Plano General Manager. “We are honored to help raise money to fund life-changing research for childhood cancer. We hope our support will help get researchers a little closer to the pin.”

A few teams are still available for the golf tournament at www.teamconnor.org. Registration will close at noon on October 9th. Golfers will sign in at 10 a.m. October 19, with an 11 a.m. tee off time. There will be an online silent auction that will open up for bidding prior to the event on Tuesday, October 13th and will close before the outdoor awards dinner, immediately following the golf tournament. 

Supporters of TeamConnor can bid online in advance starting October 13th for any of these auction items: 

  • North Park Centre VIP Shopping Experience
  • Stonebriar Shopping Package
  • Flemmings gift card & Tangerine Salon Gift Card
  • Wine & Dine package with a Magnum of 2017 Merlot and a $100 III Forks Gift Card
  • Neely & Chloe Tote and $100 Gift Card to III Forks
  • $100 III Forks gift card and a $50 Iron Cactus Gift Card
  • Christmas Vietri Pottery
  • 14" commissioned Fine Art Portrait
  • Peter Millar Private Shopping Event at the Legacy West store 

Sponsors for the 2020 event include title sponsor III Forks Steakhouse; presenting sponsor Northwestern Mutual Dallas; Park Place Lexus Plano; BenefitsTexas; Town & Country Roofing; Rick & Becky Welday; Peter Millar Legacy West; The Season Ticket; Cory McQuade, Charles Armstrong and Origin Bank.

Since 2008, TeamConnor has donated nearly $4 million to hospitals and research facilities across the country to find new treatment options and ultimately cures. Childhood cancer is the number one disease killer of children, yet the federal government allocates less than four percent of its funds to pediatric cancer research. 

TeamConnor will host the 10th Annual Northwestern Mutual Clay Shoot on November 2, 2020. For more information on TeamConnor events, contact Sydney Little, special events and outreach coordinator, at slittle@teamconnor.org or (972) 663-7302.  

For more information on how to join the fight against childhood cancer, visit teamconnor.org or follow TeamConnor on Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn or Facebook.

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TeamConnor was founded in 2008 while Connor Cruse was in the midst of his four-year battle with neuroblastoma cancer.  Today, Connor’s father, Tait Cruse, is fighting a similar battle. 

 

In July, 2020, Tait Cruse was diagnosed with a rare form of combined Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia and Lymphoma, cancer of the blood and bone marrow. TeamTait for TeamConnor has been organized by Tait’s fellow Northwestern Mutual managing partner and friend, Matt Russo, and supported by the Northwestern Mutual Home Office and other Northwestern Mutual offices across the country.   

 

On September 25th, a virtual event will unite people from all over the country for a one- day fundraiser benefiting TeamConnor Childhood Cancer Foundation in honor of Tait Cruse. From 6:00 am until midnight participants can walk, run, swim, bike, Peloton, jump rope, climb a mountain, or participate in anything athletic to stand against cancer. Participants are encouraged to post photos on social media with the hashtag #TeamTait4TeamConnor.


Participants can register at TeamConnor.org. TeamTait for TeamConnor has already raised more than $423,905 to date and is striving to reach a $1 million goal.

 

“Tait has been gathering a lot of strength and inspiration from our son Connor and how he bravely faced his cancer,” said Joy Cruse, founder of TeamConnor Childhood Cancer Foundation. “This is not our first rodeo, as we walked a similar journey with Connor.  We know what we are facing. It is hard and it is painful, but we will pull up our bootstraps, grab our sword and face this giant head on. God is in this fight with us! Connor lost his battle July 10, 2009, but TeamConnor remains committed to fight for all children who are battling cancer.”

 

Since 2008, TeamConnor has donated more than $3 million to numerous hospitals across the country in its mission to fund research that attempts to find new treatment options and ultimately cures for our children. 

 

TeamConnor hosts several events throughout the year to raise funds and awareness for childhood cancer research, including the 16th Annual III Forks Golf Classic, October 19, 2020; and the 10th Annual Northwestern Mutual Clay Shoot, November 2, 2020. For more information on TeamConnor events, contact Sydney Little, special events and outreach coordinator, at slittle@teamconnor.org or (972) 663-7302.   

 

For more information on how to join the fight against childhood cancer, please visit teamconnor.org or follow TeamConnor on Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn or Facebook.

 

 

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Just in time to get in the mood for fall, Dairy Queens in Texas will be serving up the new Caramel Apple Pie Blizzard this fall.  
 
In previous years, Dairy Queen served the Apple Pie Blizzard treat, but kicked it up a notch with the added flavor of caramel.  The new Caramel Apple Pie Blizzard is made with vanilla soft-serve and blended with pieces of real apple pie. Of course, the blizzard would not be complete without the whipped cream topping and dash of nutmeg.  The chain’s latest frozen treats bid farewell to summer and say hello to cooler weather, because every season is soft-serve season.  In addition to the Caramel Apple Pie Blizzard, DQ’s fall 2020 limited-time Blizzard menu also includes: 

  • Oreo Mocha Fudge Blizzard
  • Choco-dipped Strawberry Blizzard
  • Snickerdoodle Cookie Dough Blizzard
  • Brownie Dough Blizzard


About Texas Dairy Queen Operators’ Council 
There are few brands as iconic as DQ. Innovative DQ treats and eats, along with the unique DQ restaurant concepts, have positioned Dairy Queen restaurants in Texas as a leader in the quick service restaurant industry. The Texas Dairy Queen Operators' Council is a nonprofit organization made up of Dairy Queen franchisees operating in Texas. The Council develops the advertising and marketing program for Dairy Queen franchisees in Texas and controls the Texas Country Foods menu sold at the nearly 600 Dairy Queen restaurants in Texas. The Dairy Queen restaurants in Texas are franchised by American Dairy Queen Corporation and the Dairy Queen franchise system includes approximately 7,000 franchised locations in the United States, Canada, and 21 other countries, including the nearly 600 Dairy Queen restaurants in Texas. 
 
For more information about the Texas Dairy Queen Operators’ Council, visit dqtexas.com or follow us on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook. 
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Park Place Lexus Plano donor giving blood for Carter BloodCare

 

Park Place Lexus Plano recently hosted its second blood drive of the year collecting blood from 18 donors and potentially saving over 40 lives. 

 

With 38 percent of the population eligible to give blood, less than four percent actually donate. This leaves the community blood supply constantly struggling to keep up demand for patients battling cancer, emergency surgeries, and unexpected disasters. Blood donors are the only way to provide for transfusions because blood cannot be manufactured. Companies and the community can get more information or sign up to give blood at carterbloodcare.org.

 

Park Place Lexus Plano will host a third blood drive in December to support Carter BloodCare and its needs. 

 

Park Place was founded in 1987 and employs more than 1,700 members operating eight full-service dealerships in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. The company represents luxury brands including Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Volvo, Jaguar, and Land Rover. For more info, visit parkplace.com.

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Adrian is jumping for joy at the announcement and surprise of being the first Kluber’s Kid chosen in Texas.

 

 

ARLINGTON (September 8, 2020) – The Kluber Family Foundation, established by Texas Rangers pitcher Corey Kluber and his wife Amanda, have spent more than ten years supporting seriously ill and physically challenged children and families. The Kluber’s recently selected an eleven-year-old boy to be a part of the Kluber’s Kids program.

 

Adrian, a Fort Worth resident, is the first Kluber’s Kid chosen in Texas and was recently featured during a broadcast of the Texas Rangers game against the San Diego Padres at Globe Life Field. 

 

Adrian is a huge Rangers fan and plays second base for his baseball team.  He has battled kidney disease since the age of three and had a full kidney replacement at the age of 10, donated by his brother. As a result of COVID, Adrian was only in school for 60 days following his surgery and will be taking virtual courses through 2020.

 

As a way to support seriously ill children during the COVID pandemic, the foundation sends a ‘party box’ to the homes of a Kluber’s Kid. The ‘party boxes’ include a Texas Rangers jersey, Texas Rangers baseball hat, Texas Rangers gift card to redeem tickets for next season, an official Kluber’s Kids t-shirt, a Corey Kluber signed photo, baseball/Texas Rangers themed party décor, a meal, snacks, and drinks, and an encouraging video message from Corey and Amanda. A DoppleRanger, a 2D image of Adrian, was created for the Rangers/Padres game which was also featured on the TV broadcast. 

 

The Kluber Family Foundation will host the 2020 Curveball for a Cause Celebrity Gala, on September 13 during a completely virtual event. Fox Sports Southwest anchor John Rhadigan will emcee the virtual event with Kluber and several of his Texas Rangers teammates making virtual appearances.

 

The mission of The Kluber Family Foundation is to impact the lives of families who have seriously ill and chronically ill children, by providing them with daily support through live-improving resources and life-changing experiences. Since its founding, the Kluber Family Foundation has impacted more than 480,000 individuals. More information is available at coreykluber.org.

 

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With summer’s longer days and mild nights approaching, Texas Dairy Queen (TDQ) will celebrate National Hamburger Day on Thursday, May 28 with a special deal on its all-time, mouth-watering favorite hamburger, the Hungr-Buster®.
 
The Hungr-Buster® is a juicy quarter-pound grilled beef patty topped with crisp lettuce, ripe tomatoes, purple onions, tangy pickles and bold yellow mustard. The Hungr-Buster® will be available for $3 on May 28 in celebration of National Hamburger Day.This offer is redeemable only through the Texas Dairy Queen app which must be downloaded a day before the May 28 event. The Hungr-Buster® joins a lineup of tasty eats such as the BeltBuster®; Triple-Buster and the Hungr-Buster Jr.®.
 
The featured Blizzard® Flavor of the Month is Cotton Candy. The Cotton Candy Blizzard is a frozen melody of DQ soft serve and cotton candy sprinkles for a refreshing treat for the taste buds and will be available through August. The Cotton Candy Blizzard joins a lineup of limited time flavors such as the Oreo Cheesecake Blizzard; Frosted Animal Cookie Blizzard; Raspberry Fudge Bliss Blizzard; S’mores Blizzard; and the Rocky Road Blizzard.
 
Texas Dairy Queen’s continue to offer its menu via drive-thru windows, pick-up and take-out, as well as delivery and online ordering, where available.
 
There are few brands as iconic as the  DQ® brand. Innovative  DQ treats and eats, along with the unique  DQ restaurant concepts, have positioned Texas Dairy Queen as a leader in the quick service restaurant industry. Texas Dairy Queen is comprised of 154 franchisees with nearly 600 locations across Texas. For more information, visit dqtexas.comor follow TDQ on Instagram, Twitteror Facebook.
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TeamConnor Board Member Trey Morris

TeamConnor Childhood Cancer Foundation recently appointed Trey Morris, Mark Morrison, and Mike Wawczak to the Board of Directors.  All three members come to TeamConnor with diverse backgrounds and experiences that will continue to assist TeamConnor in reaching the organization’s long-term mission to build awareness and fund research to develop better treatments for childhood cancers and ultimately finding a cure.

 

We are excited that Trey Morris has joined the TeamConnor Childhood Cancer Foundation Board of Directors.  Trey has spent 25+ years in the world of broadcasting and advertising. He is a media consultant, professional speaker, and restaurant entrepreneur. Trey has been married for 25 years to his wife Rebecca, his Baylor sweetheart, and father to Haley and Jordan. Trey has been friends with Joy & Tait Cruse for over 25 years. He has served as Co-Chair for the III Forks Golf Classic for the last 5 years and has a personal passion to help eradicate childhood cancer. 

 

Mark Morrison has been a co-chair for the III Forks Golf Classic since 2016.  Morrison brings a wealth of experience in systems integration, sales, business operations, and management consulting.  Morrison successfully built and exited his own consulting company at the age of 32, worked as a business analyst for major equity firms such as Kleiner Perkins and Fraser-McCombs, played leadership roles in building Infosys’ Oil & Gas and Utilities business units. Morrison created innovated programs with industry leaders such as Schlumberger (O&G) and Itron (Utilities) that resulted in revenues in excess of $100M. 

 

Mike Wawczak and his family have a personal connection to childhood cancer as they have recently lost a child to childhood cancer. Mike comes to TeamConnor as a banking professional with approximately 37 years of experience including roles as division manager, senior credit officer, subsidiary president, business development officer, equipment finance specialist and banking operations.  Mike’s strategic thinking, excellent communication skills and strong analytical abilities will strengthen TeamConnor in raising more funds for pediatric cancer research. 

 

TeamConnor Childhood Cancer Foundation wrapped up 2019 by donating $250,000 to hospitals for cutting-edge research for childhood cancers and patient programs.  

 

TeamConnor was founded in 2008 while Connor Cruse was in the midst of his four-year battle with neuroblastoma cancer.  Connor lost his battle on July 10, 2009, but TeamConnor remains committed to fight for all children who are battling cancer.

 

Since 2008, TeamConnor has donated more than $3 million to numerous hospitals across the country in its mission to fund research that attempts to find new treatment options and cures for the most vulnerable population, children. TeamConnor Childhood Cancer Foundation is dedicated to raising awareness and funding research and treatment programs to find a cure for all childhood cancers.   

 

As a result of COVID - 19, the III Forks Golf Classic has been delayed to Fall 2020. The new date will be announced at a later time.  TeamConnor will host the 10th Annual Northwestern Mutual Clay Shoot, November 2, 2020. For more information on TeamConnor events, contact Sydney Little, special events and outreach coordinator, at slittle@teamconnor.org or (972) 663-7302. 

 

For more information on how to join the fight against childhood cancer, please visit teamconnor.org or follow TeamConnor on Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn or Facebook.

 

 

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Texas Dairy Queen (TDQ) has long been famous for its friendly and convenient drive-thru service. As TDQ Operators adhere to local government mandates to shutter dining rooms across the state, that friendliness and convenience is now more important than ever.
 
Since food service has been deemed an essential business by Texas Governor Greg Abbott, TDQ is continuing to offer its entire menu lineup of tasty treats and eats via drive-thru windows, as well as delivery and online ordering where available, at its nearly 600 locations throughout the Lone Star State.
 
“Texans can still enjoy Dairy Queen’s iconic hospitality with safety and convenience,” said Lou Romanus, CEO of the Texas Dairy Queen Operators’ Council. “Our 600 Dairy Queen’s across our great state are all owned by entrepreneurs who are working hard to keep their restaurants open.”
 
TDQ is also ensuring guest’s and employees’ safety by enhancing their already stringent sanitation requirements with even more frequent cleanings of equipment and service areas. TDQ Operators have refined their processes to more efficiently serve fans in the drive-thru as well as accommodate take-out orders while the dining rooms are closed.
 
“Unprecedented times call for unprecedented measures,” said Romanus. “Nothing is more important than the health and safety of our customers and employees. We are privileged to continue to serve our guests.”
 
This week, TDQ participated in the Great American Takeout which saw restaurants across the country asking fans to support their favorite establishment. In the next few weeks and months, restaurateurs are encouraging Americans to continue to support local restaurants by frequenting their favorite places to eat. TDQ fans are invited to tag the brand on their social pages using the hashtag #TheGreatAmericanTakeout as well as #DQTexas.
 
There are few brands as iconic as the DQ® brand. Innovative DQ treats and eats, along with the unique DQ restaurant concepts, have positioned Texas Dairy Queen as a leader in the quick service restaurant industry. Texas Dairy Queen is comprised of 154 franchisees with nearly 600 locations across Texas. For more information, visit dqtexas.com or follow TDQ on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook.